A first approach to the essence of the sniper gives the origin of the word ‘shooter’. The brothers Grimm derived the word from the Old High German ‘scuzzo’ and sources on related words in other Germanic languages like ‘skytt’ in
Swedish
, ‘skytte’ in
Danish and ‘skut’ in Anglo-Saxon*. It refers to the sender of projectiles, but is not connected to the form of the bullet, nor the used firearm.
In France the shooter is called ‘tireur’, derived from the verb ‘tirer’ (pull, stretch, extend), and describes the operation of drawing a bow or drawing a crossbow, as well as pulling the trigger of a rifle**.
In Slavic languages the shooter is called ‘strelec’ and ‘strjeljac’, derived from the verb ‘streljati’ and ‘streljaf’. A word connected to the sender of a projectile, but also referring to the fired projectile, the arrow (‘strela’)***.
In Latin texts shooters are referred as 'sagittarii' or 'ballistarii', which use their bow (‘arcus’) or their crossbow (‘arcuballista’ or ‘ballista’) to shoot their arrows (‘sagitta’)****.
Shooters are therefore persons, who shoot. This view is being confirmed by word formations like ‘bowman’, ‘arbalest’ or ‘rifleman’. The meaning of shooting was therefore still fully alive, when only those called themselves ‘shooters’, which were handling with distance weapons. Especially in
French medieval texts they’re using exclusively the words ‘archers’, ‘arbalétriers’, ‘arquebusiers’, respectively Old French ‘archers’, ‘arbalétriers’ and ‘haquebutiers’, the latter also called ‘couleuvres’*****.
To the designation of a notably good shooter the German language knows word formed with ‘scharf’ (sharp), which gets its special meaning with ‘Scharfblick’ (sharp eye), ‘scharfes Auge’ (keen eyed) and ‘scharfer Munition’ (live ammunition). In French the ‘tireur d’elite’, in Slavic language the ‘ostrostrelec’ and ‘snajperista’.
However, the most revealing terms are those developed in the English language. The ‘marksman’ is a designation for someone who strikes the target (‘mark’) with precision. The word ‘sharpshooter’ is latest known by the 17th century. Additionally known is the word ‘sniper’, a nowadays known term among military experts worldwide, and probably currently the most used word.
Article - "Great War British & Empire Sniping Equipment" by Roger Payne
PM
